A Cross-Sectional Survey of 505 Postpartum Women to Assess Lifestyle-Related Behaviour, Barriers, and Myths Affecting Postpartum Weight Retention and Its Management.

Archana Kumari¹ · Piyush Ranjan² · Wareesha Anwar³ · Divjyot Kaur³ · Ashish Datt Upadhyay⁴ · Anita Malhotra⁵· Naval Kishore Vikram²

Dr. Archana Kumari (MS) is an Assistant Professor; Dr. Piyush Ranjan (MD) is a Professor; Wareesha Anwar (M.Sc) is a Ph.D. scholar; Divjyot Kaur (M.Sc) is a Ph.D. Scholar; Dr. Ashish Datt Upadhyay (Ph.D.) is a Scientist,; Dr. Anita Malhotra (Ph.D.) is a Professor; Dr. Naval Kishore Vikram (MD) is a Professor.

Piyush Ranjan drpiyushdost@gmail.com

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India

2 Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, , New Delhi 110029, India

3 Scholar, Department of Home Science, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

4 Department of Biostatistics, AIIMS, New Delhi, India 5 Department of Home Science, Laxmi Bai College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

Background/Purpose This study aims to assess lifestyle-related factors such as diet, physical activity and sleep along with common myths, beliefs, and barriers to a healthy lifestyle and resultant postpartum weight retention. It has also explored the association of the aforementioned factors with socio-demographic variables.

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a comprehensive pre-validated questionnaire on a convenience sample of postpartum women using a telephonic interview schedule.

Results A total of 505 postpartum women were recruited with median postpartum weight retention of 5 kg. More than half of the participants had incorrect dietary practices with less than one-tenth of women indulging in low/moderate-intensity physical activity. Postpartum women had poorer diet (p < 0.05) and sleep (p < 0.01) in the initial phase postpartum as compared to late postpartum. These women were also less physically active in the initial months and as the postpartum period progressed their physical activity also improved significantly (p < 0.001). Socio-demographic variables such as socio-economic status, education, and employment status were significantly associated with unhealthy lifestyle practices. Common barriers were lack of knowledge, time constraints, lack of childcare support and cultural myths and beliefs.

Conclusion The findings of the study will help in developing a comprehensive women-centric weight management module focusing on practical guidelines for lifestyle, breastfeeding and other confounding factors associated with postpartum weight management.

Keywords : Postpartum period · Overweight · Obesity · Lifestyle · Weight management

The proportionately high prevalence of obesity among women of the reproductive age group can be attributed to the physiological changes associated with body composition during pregnancy [1]. Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) can be defined as the difference between body weight at pre-pregnancy and after delivery [2]. This weight retention mostly occurs in the form of visceral fat, thus increasing the risk of metabolic complications like diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery diseases. PPWR is influenced by various non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors [3, 4].

Among these various risk factors, lifestyle-related behaviours play an important role and vary across different cultures and countries [5–7]. In western countries, there is an increased awareness of the consumption of a healthy diet and the initiation of timely physical activity. But, in various Asian countries including India, unhealthy dietary habits and restrictive physical activity are promoted for healing and recovery following delivery [8]. Such practices do more harm than good and put the postpartum women for an upward weight trajectory in the coming years of their life [9].

There is a paucity of data on the role of lifestyle-related factors and their role in postpartum weight retention in India. This study aims to cohesively assess lifestyle-related factors such as diet, physical activity, and sleep along with common myths, beliefs, and barriers to a healthy lifestyle. It also aims to identify the relation of various socio-demographic variables with the above-mentioned factors.

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